Meta Timeline

How the meta evolved across set releases — tier shifts, new decks, and archetype trends.

Based on current deck pool scored at each era.

Tier Distribution by Set Release

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S TierA TierB TierC TierD Tier

Archetype Popularity by Set Release

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Era-by-Era Breakdown

Team Rocket's Ambition Team Rocket's Ambition (B4a) +7 new 4 shifts 58 decks
S: 9 A: 20 B: 18 C: 6 D: 5

New Decks

S Garchomp Goomy Energy RampTheme Synergy
A Team Rocket's Weezing ex / Hoopa ex Status ChaosHyper Aggressive
A Garchomp / Celebi Energy RampTheme Synergy
A Mega Lucario ex / Team Rocket's Raticate ex Hyper AggressiveCombo Chain
B Team Rocket's Magmar / Weezing ex Status ChaosAbility Pivot
D Team Rocket's Slowking ex / Sylveon ex Bench ScalerCombo Chain
D Team Rocket's Raticate ex / Alolan Ninetales ex Ability PivotHyper Aggressive

Grade Shifts

Mega Altaria ex / Gourgeist C → B
Greninja ex / Suicune ex A → B
Mega Altaria ex / Iron Valiant D → C
Puppy Pile D → C
Ruler of the Skies Ruler of the Skies (B4) +15 new 51 decks
S: 8 A: 18 B: 15 C: 5 D: 5

New Decks

S Mega Sharpedo ex / Milotic ex Hyper AggressiveEnergy Ramp
A Mega Gallade ex Hyper AggressiveEnergy Ramp
A Vespiquen ex / Shuckle ex Coin GamblerEnergy Ramp
A Mega Sharpedo ex / Gyarados Combo ChainEnergy Ramp
A Mega Metagross ex / Dialga ex Energy RampBench Scaler
A Wailord ex / Indeedee ex Energy RampBench Scaler
A Terapagos ex Combo ChainEnergy Ramp
A Mega Manectric ex / Heliolisk Ability PivotCombo Chain
B Hoopa ex / Mega Absol ex Ability PivotHyper Aggressive
B Hoopa ex / Greninja Ability PivotHyper Aggressive
B Mega Rayquaza ex / Dragonair Bench ScalerHyper Aggressive
B Dragonair / Altaria Bench ScalerCombo Chain
C Rotom ex / Pachirisu Ability PivotHyper Aggressive
D Mega Houndoom ex / Castform Ability PivotCoin Gambler
D Typhlosion ex Combo ChainBench Scaler
Everyday Wonders Everyday Wonders (B3b) +8 new 36 decks
S: 7 A: 11 B: 11 C: 4 D: 3

New Decks

S Chien-Pao ex / Milotic ex Hyper AggressiveEnergy Ramp
A Butterfree / Hisuian Zoroark ex Energy RampCombo Chain
A Mega Gardevoir ex / Mega Diancie ex Bench ScalerCombo Chain
A Hisuian Zoroark ex / Froslass Energy RampHyper Aggressive
B Milotic ex / Darkrai Ability PivotStatus Chaos
B Dedenne ex / Emolga Energy RampHyper Aggressive
C Zoroark ex / Mega Sableye ex Snipe PressureBench Scaler
D Puppy Pile Snipe PressureHyper Aggressive
Paradox Drive Paradox Drive (B3a) +7 new 6 shifts 28 decks
S: 6 A: 8 B: 9 C: 3 D: 2

New Decks

A Dragonite / Raging Bolt Energy RampTheme Synergy
A Terapagos ex / Darkrai Status ChaosEnergy Ramp
B Flutter Mane ex / Mega Gardevoir ex Ability PivotHyper Aggressive
B Koraidon ex / Darkrai Status ChaosAbility Pivot
C Miraidon ex / CB Magnezone Coin GamblerBench Scaler
D Mega Altaria ex / Iron Valiant Bench ScalerSnipe Pressure
D Suicune ex / Iron Bundle ex Snipe PressureBench Scaler

Grade Shifts

Mega Altaria ex / Greninja C → B
Mega Sceptile ex / Pheromosa A → S
Magnezone ex / Oricorio D → C
Bellibolt ex / Magnezone C → B
Mega Altaria ex / Gourgeist D → C
Greninja ex / Suicune ex B → A
Pulsing Aura Pulsing Aura (B3) +6 new 1 shift 21 decks
S: 5 A: 6 B: 6 C: 2 D: 2

New Decks

S Mega Blaziken ex / Castform Hyper AggressiveStatus Chaos
A Mega Sceptile ex / Pheromosa Status ChaosHyper Aggressive
A Mega Lucario ex / Darkrai Hyper AggressiveStatus Chaos
B Mega Lucario ex / Lucario Hyper AggressiveMega Tank
B Zoroark ex / Mega Absol ex Hyper AggressiveSnipe Pressure
D Magnezone ex / Oricorio Energy RampHyper Aggressive

Grade Shifts

Mega Absol ex / Hydreigon A → S
Mega Shine Mega Shine (B2b) +4 new 2 shifts 15 decks
S: 3 A: 5 B: 4 C: 2 D: 1

New Decks

S Mega Charizard XY ex / Entei ex Energy RampMega Tank
A Mega Absol ex / Hydreigon Hyper AggressiveStatus Chaos
A Mega Manectric ex / Zeraora Ability PivotHyper Aggressive
B Darkrai / Mega Altaria ex Status ChaosSnipe Pressure

Grade Shifts

Bellibolt ex / Magnezone B → C
Greninja ex / Suicune ex A → B
Paldean Wonders Paldean Wonders (B2a) +3 new 3 shifts 11 decks
S: 2 A: 4 B: 3 C: 1 D: 1

New Decks

A Chien-Pao ex / Baxcalibur Energy RampSnipe Pressure
B Gourgeist / Houndstone Hyper AggressiveEnergy Ramp
B Bellibolt ex / Magnezone Coin GamblerEnergy Ramp

Grade Shifts

Mega Altaria ex / Greninja B → C
Mega Altaria ex / Gourgeist C → D
Greninja ex / Suicune ex B → A
Fantastical Parade Fantastical Parade (B2) +5 new 8 decks
S: 2 A: 2 B: 3 C: 1

New Decks

S Darkrai ex / Giratina ex Energy RampMega Tank
A Mega Steelix ex / Indeedee ex Energy RampTheme Synergy
B Greninja ex / Suicune ex Snipe PressureEnergy Ramp
B Mega Altaria ex / Greninja Snipe PressureControl Disruption
C Mega Altaria ex / Gourgeist Snipe PressureBench Scaler
Crimson Blaze Crimson Blaze (B1a) 3 decks
S: 1 A: 1 B: 1
Mega Rising Mega Rising (B1) +2 new 3 decks
S: 1 A: 1 B: 1

New Decks

S Jolteon ex / Pikachu ex Hyper AggressiveEnergy Ramp
B Mega Absol ex / Greninja Ability PivotControl Disruption
Deluxe Pack EX Deluxe Pack EX (A4b) 1 deck
A: 1
Secluded Springs Secluded Springs (A4a) 1 deck
A: 1
Wisdom of Sea and Sky Wisdom of Sea and Sky (A4) 1 deck
A: 1
Eevee Grove Eevee Grove (A3b) 1 deck
A: 1
Extradimensional Crisis Extradimensional Crisis (A3a) +1 new 1 deck
A: 1

New Decks

A Rampardos / Silvally Hyper AggressiveGlass Cannon